Cheryl Ann (Cofield) Fellers

Ms. Cheryl  Fellers of Raleigh, NC, departed this earthly life on Wednesday September 4, 2024.  A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 1:00 PM Tuesday September 10, 2024 at the C.A. Haywood, Sr. Memorial Chapel.

Cheryl Cofield Fellers was born on September 5, 1946, in New York, N.Y., and raised in Queens, N.Y. by her loving parents, Dorothy Bernice Martin and Charles Edward Cofield, as the oldest of four sisters. Cheryl transitioned into eternal rest on September 4, 2024, at the home of her daughter Joy Inniss-VanHook in Dunn, N.C. She will be remembered as a loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, as well as a guiding force, mentor and friend who always offered a helping hand or wise counsel.

Cheryl attended St. Catherine of Sienna Catholic School in St. Albans, N.Y. during her primary school years and graduated from Andrew Jackson High School in Queens. She developed her passion for diversity and cultural exploration as a young adult, and graduated from Queens College in 1978 with a bachelor of arts degree in education.  

Cheryl’s professional life was defined by integrity and service, guiding countless individuals through their careers and life challenges. After moving to Raleigh in the 1980s, she held positions with the state Department of Human Resources and Division of Aging, and served as a unit administrator with the C.A. Dillon Training School in Butner. Cheryl also made meaningful contributions at the Raleigh Council on Aging for nearly a decade, helping seniors to navigate important resources.

Cheryl dedicated over 25 years of service to the state of North Carolina, including 11 years with the state Human Relations Commission. She joined the Department of Corrections in 1999 and retired as Director of its Equal Employment Opportunity Office on June 1, 2010. Her leadership at the Department of Corrections was a testament to her commitment to fairness, justice and the empowerment of others.

Cheryl was a member of the American Correctional Association (ACA), the Women Working in Corrections Association, and the N.C. Association of Human Rights Workers. She also actively participated in organizations that reflected her joyful spirit and commitment to inclusivity, including the State Employees Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Observance Day Committee (Past Chair), the Garner Senior Dance G-Squad, the Golden Eagles, AARP, and the Bible Application Class in Raleigh. Cheryl also briefly served on the Board of Directors at the Garner YMCA, where her leadership and compassion were deeply valued.

Cheryl was honored with numerous awards and recognitions for her service during her career, including the Old North State Award from Governor Beverly Perdue in 2010, and the Alex Almasy Award for Excellence in the Field of Criminal Justice from the North Central Region, N.C. Correctional Association in 2005. She received a recognition award for outstanding professional services from Women Working in Corrections and the N.C. Correctional Association, as well as state recognition awards for her support of the State Employees Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Observance Day Program, and her service to the State Employees Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Observance Day Committee. Cheryl also was honored with an award for her years of service to the N.C. Human Relations Commission.

Cheryl was a free spirit who embraced every opportunity to live fully. Whether dancing, traveling, exploring international cuisine, shopping or spending time with family and friends, Cheryl radiated joy. She greatly valued diversity, and deeply loved learning about different cultures. Her holistic, vegan lifestyle reflected her commitment to health and wellness, and her vibrant energy was contagious to all who knew her.

Cheryl’s legacy is one of leadership, love, and a zest for life. She faced life’s challenges with grace, dignity and strength, choosing to live her life on her own terms. Her radiant spirit, her love of dancing and laughter, and her profound respect for others will continue to inspire all who had the honor of knowing her. She embraced “living my best life” as her motto.

Cheryl is survived by her loving daughters, Joy Inniss-VanHook (Steven) and Tonja Bauza (Michael), and her stepdaughter Tracie Fellers. She was a cherished older sister to Florence Batine, Charleen Evans (Delmar), and Constance Cofield. Cheryl also was a devoted grandmother to Brittany Ward (Roderick), Brandon Oliver (Miranda), Michael Hinton and Kayla Bauza, and a loving great-grandmother, affectionately called “Wella.” She will be fondly remembered by her nieces, nephews, godson, and a wide circle of close friends.

Cheryl’s celebration of life service will be held on Tuesday, September 10, 2024, at Haywood Funeral Home in Raleigh. Her family invites all who knew her to join in honoring her remarkable life and legacy.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to:
The Glioblastoma Foundation
P.O. Box 62066
Durham, NC 27715
Email: info@glioblastomafoundation.org
Phone: 919-402-1775
www.glioblastomafoundation.org

www.glioblastomafoundation.org

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